A WITNEY-based housing association has appointed four 'Domestic Abuse Champions' to support residents.

Cottsway Housing has signed up to the national Make a Stand initiative to help tackle domestic abuse.

The campaign centres around a pledge developed by the Chartered Institute of Housing, with Women’s Aid and the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance.

Four Cottsway staff members have been designated 'champions' to act as the ‘go-to’ people for advice and support, including head of housing, Wendy Hardy.

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She said: “Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, at any time. The person causing the harm may be a stranger, but more often than not, it is someone known to the victim."

Cottsway has measures in place that enable it to take steps to remove perpetrators of domestic abuse from tenancies and to ensure victims of abuse can continue to live at home